Calling All Sorority Girls!

I'm not sure if anyone has noticed but my Etsy site has been on "Vacation Mode" since the beginning of the summer. The started (obviously) because I was in Italy but I've gotten so busy with school that I haven't taken the time to get it back up and running again.

One new "product" that I want to add to the store was, what I've been calling, "Nursery Art."* Each is a unique painting centered around a name. The ones that I have made have each been for baby boys and I'm hoping to have a little bit of a broader range before I put the listing up. 

Here's where the sorority girl thing comes in...I have this idea in my head of doing a girls name and keeping the painting sorority themed. So if you are looking for a great little present or a birthday present or a just because present for yourself, consider a custom name painting! I'd like to paint one then use the pictures as an example so...as an extra incentive we're going to do a little sale! Normally the paintings would be $85 but for this I'm going to do them for $45. Each includes a painting that is framed and matted.




The examples of what I've done before are below and if you're interested send me an e-mail or Facebook message! (the links are on the right sidebar)

Thanks ya'll :)

xoxo

*(just a little disclosure and credit!) Each painting is individually designed and painted by me but the original idea/technique/inspiration came from Ashley over at Lil Blue Boo!

Strike A Pose!

If you want to keep up with my pictures from Spain, you can look at this website! 

http://abigailisinspain.shutterfly.com

Its super easy, but sadly not chronological. 

Enjoy the randomness of what is my life.

xox

Abs

Galicia!

Hello friends! 

     This past weekend we had a beautiful trip to Galicia, the northern part of Spain. It's normally very rainy here but we were very blessed because we did not see a single rain drop until we were getting on the bus to come home! I wish I could even attempt to recount the trip, but it was so phenomenal that my words cannot do it justice. This was a Furman planned trip (thanks tuition!!!) so we didn't have to pay and we all got to travel together. Our bonding began on the 6 hour bus ride while we sang karaoke and decided to make our own music video throughout the whole semester. We wanted a song that we'd all enjoy so we naturally chose Oops, I did it again. Brook is absolutely in love and obsessed with everything Britany, so she gave us inspiration! I'm in charge of directing, filming, and making the video and im so excited to do it!!

Ok, now back to the Galicia trip.. 
When we got to galicia, our first two nights were spent in La Caruña. It's a beautiful city surrounded by the ocean and a river. Like every night in Galicia, we all sat down to a dinner together in the hotel that usually seafood and delicious wine. Galicia is known for both of those, especially their octopus(pulpo) and white wine. After our first of four beautiful dinners, we all went to the beach at night!

     Every place we went was prettier than the next! We got to travel around and explore la Caruña and go into ancient cathedrals. Friday night was our last night in A Caruña and we all hung out in Camerons and my amazing corner room and Mario, Dr. massei's husband even came with us!! I cannot get over how diverse and fun my group is! Another blessing from the Galicia trip was two of the days we didn't have to be ready until 12 so God was so gracious and faithful by giving me a whole morning to spend time with him! I was and am so excited and thankful for it. 

    Saturday was Definitey one of my favorite days because we went to Santiago! Santiago is one of the three holiest cities in the world and is home of the cathedral de Santiago, which is the the final destination of the Camino de Santiago. This is the pilgrimage that begins in France and ends in Santiago. I think I would absolutely love to make this pilgrimage and am thinking about doing after graduation. I actually kind of already have my heart already set on it!! During Saturday, we also went to some of the prettiest places I've ever seen. Like I said, it usually rains in Galicia but we had perfectly blue skys that made for amazing views.

      Saturday night Rachel, Elise, Sarah, and I went to downtown Santiago and got to experience their nightlife! Rachel and I got lost their during the day, and we didn't do much better at night, but that's half the fun! Right across from the cathedral, we found a Spanish band playing where we danced and celebrated with people who had just finished their
Camino de Santiago. Rachel told me that Santiago is know for their stars so of course we laid down in the middle of the plaza to see the stars and the cathedral at night! After that, we decided to go meet some locals and everyone just goes out and plays, celebrates, and dances in the street. Spanish culture is so free and fun!

     We experienced this aspect of the culture on Sunday when we first went to a beautiful beach that reminded me of Massachusetts but then on an cruise to try fresh seafood and wine! Like I said, we did a lot of bonding on this trip, but this was easily everyone's favorite day together. The cruise we pretty chill but became super fun! We saw dolphins the whole cruise, tried mussels (EW), drank white Galician wine, and had a dance party on the top of the boat! Such a good time!

     After the cruise, we went on a mini train ride around the city to learn more. For lunch everyday, Furman gave us 15€ that we could spend. It was super nice because we didn't have to try to save money but could totally feast. 

     After a couple other smaller stops to see beautiful views, we stay for a bit in this  tiny, old city near the river. This is a unique river because it's where the river and ocean meet so the water is actually salty. We decided to be spontaneous so Elizabeth, Katie, Cameron, and I decided to jump into the water! The water was numbing at first but then felt great. We may or may not have made a scene and had old Spanish men call us loco but it was definitely one of  my favorite moments of the trip.

The whole trip to Galicia was fantastic and much needed. We had an exam last week and I also have to get up at 6:30 everyday to make it to class on time, so it was a nice time to play and change the pace. I can't believe how fast time is passing here but I'm so thankful to be in Spain living on my own and exploring this beautiful world. 

xox
Abigail 

A Picture is Worth 1,000 Words

This past weekend, I visited Galicia, the Northern part of Spain! 

Here's my weekend through my iPhone (:

Where I was playing:

What I was seeing:

What I was reading:

What I was buying:

Where I was living:

Who I was living with:

What I was listening to:

Hasta luego!

Museo de Thyssen

Hola todos! 

My adventures in Spain have almost reached two weeks! I can't believe how quickly time has passed. We went to the thyseen last Saturday afternoon and if you were born in 1992, you got in for free to celebrate their 20th birthday! I'm going to be honest and say that I'm one of those people who do not particular adore museums, so free entrance was a definite win in my book. The majority of the group went and since there are about 15 of us, we tend to move rather slowly. This time it wasn't as much of a problem because everyone could look at the art at their own pace. It was crazy to see these paintings from so long ago! Such amazing detail that brought you back to exactly when it was painted. It was like time traveling. I also loved the 'religious paintings' sections because as I was looking at dates that went all the way back to the 1400's, I was reminded of how transcendent God's love story to us is. 

We also went through a room of 'retratos' or portraits. All these important people had commissioned a painter to capture the memory of who they were. I realized that however important they were, I, and most of these people looking at their portrait legitimately have no idea who they were. I couldnt help but to think about what I'm doing on earth  and what kind of legacy I'm leaving. Is it even about leaving a legacy and making my name known to be remembered? 

Millions and millions of people have gone before me and passed, but what impact have they left. In one part it makes me feel insanely small, like anything I do will be forgotten. On the other side, I'm pushed to ask if its even about being remembered or about making something else big? What about God? I know that as a daughter of Christ, I have been chosen by Christ, not by my own work but out of his pure grace and mercy. For this reason, I know that my life and soul are counted as precious, but what's the point in making my own name or any of my achievements important if this whole world is going to pass away. There will not be a u-haul behind my hearse. Matthew 6:19-21 tells us, 

“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and rust destroy,and where thieves break in and steal.

 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."  God is showing me that there is no way that I will ever find contentment in this world if I continue to store up my treasure here. By Christ's strength, If everything I live to do is to serve and glorify the Lord, I am storing up my treasure in heaven--a place that will never fall away but is a "kingdom that can never be shaken." Jesus tells us that wherever were storing up our treasure, there our heart, desire, and love is. We have two options: the fleeting world or the Lord's eternal kingdom. Even as I'm writing this, I am being convicted of how much I fail and choose the world over Jesus. I choose to continue walking and not offer a smile. I choose facebook over quiet time. I choose to worry about exams and not give God praise for going to school. This is when I look toward the cross and am reminded that everyday my sinful heart desires to not choose Jesus but that He reached down to me and told me that I don't have to strive to be prefect or important. He has made me perfectly righteous through His sacrifice! Even when I feel like the people in these painting, I can look to the cross and be reminded that with and through Christ, He will push and teach my sinful heart to store up my treasure in heaven. He is teaching me that this world is about making Him famous, and about leaving a legacy by telling others about the radical, beautiful, in changing love that Christ has for every person. 


In Christ,
Abigail 

Craftsman House: Finish Packages

This is semester, I'm taking Residential and Lighting studio. I just turned in this project this morning (like an hour ago!) and it's our third project but while it's fresh in my mind I thought I'd share. I'm going to try and put my project on here in a kinda cool, digital form. When you scroll down click on the button that says "Expand" and you can flip through!


Here is the information for this project:


"A residential builder in the Auburn-Opelika area has retained your firm's services to assist in communicating residential finish options to his contract clients. You are being provided with a rough floor plan of one of his standard spec houses and a list of approved finishes available through his business partnership with a local flooring company


Deliverables:

You are to create three residential finish packages each to include:
-Interior selections for flooring, wall color, trim, cabinetry finish, counters, and backsplash. Ceilings are to be white

You will communicate your choices by providing the following for each of your three finish packages:
-Rendered interior perspective showing as much of the main area of the house as possible, but must include kitchen
-Finish plan
-Finish schedule

You will present your packages in a single bound booklet. You may include a cover of your choosing. The first page after the cover must include your name, the name of our program and department, the course name and number, semester, and instructor.

Bring two copies of the printed document - one for instructor and one for builder - to class by the due date. It is possible that neither copy will be returned, so keep a backup for your records."


We had two choices for cabinets, thirteen for granite, two for tile, unlimited for paint, and maybe 50-75 for carpet or vinyl flooring. I thought this project was kind of fun because 1. it's real world thing and 2. it's different than our usual "no budget" projects. To me it was like a puzzle so I enjoyed that part.

For my perspectives, I created my model in Revit then took it into Google SketchUp to apply finishes. I rendered them with Podium then edited them and created the 'watercolor' effect in Photoshop (we use SO many computer programs!!) Then I printed them and hand drew on them and rescaned them back in.




So...without further ado, enjoy!






And if for some reason this isn't working I'll go ahead and post my renderings on here!

Option 1: Long Perspective

Option 1: Kitchen Perspective

Option 2: Long Perspective

Option 2: Kitchen Perspective

Option 3: Long Perspective

Option 3: Kitchen Perspective

xoxo

Stay Awake!

I have a daily devotional book that I read every day and sometimes it surprises me how spot on the reflections can be. I thought I'd share this one because it was exactly what I was thinking the other day.

Therefore, stay awake! For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 

-Matthew 24:42

"Some think these words apply only to our final moments, when God comes to lead us into the joy of resurrected life.

Well, we certainly want to be prepared for that.

But there are so many other times when God comes to us as he reveals his love throughout our daily lives.

An unexpected call from a cherished friend,

the experience of God's presence in our hearts,

the sound of beautiful music:

All these gifts reveal God's love for us.

We can make our own list, of course, but the point is the same: 

to be awake to the ways in which God comes to us every day.

Life is flush with many gifts, but we'll miss them if we're asleep to what life offers.

And so Jesus tells us to stay awake. If we miss the gifts, we miss the loving presence of the God who gives them."

-Fr. Kenneth E. Grabner, C.S.C.

P.S. All of the pictures are from a trip to the lake with the Morgans this summer for the short bit when Abigail and I were both home!

Some Bloggy Love!

First off, we just want to say THANK YOU for everyone that has been so supportive of our blog. It's fun that everyone is loving this as much as we are.

We just put some new buttons on here and changed how the comments work so this is going to be a quick post to show you what's going on!

So to start off...comments. We'd love to hear from you. Let us know what you're thinking with a quick comment!

At the bottom of our posts you can click to comment. You either click on "No comments" or "1 comment" or whatever it says based on how many comments we have.

You can change the drop down box options and select Name/URL and enter your name and comment and then just publish it! 

Next up...following us. If you have a Gmail, Yahoo, or Blogger account (there might be more choices but I'm not sure), you can follow us. Just click on the Followers link on our right sidebar!

And finally, if you REALLY want to be in the know about whenever we post you can follow us by e-mail! With this you'll get an e-mail about any new posts. The button is on the right sidebar as well.

Yay! So go on and leave us some bloggy love because WE LOVE YOU TOO :)

xoxo

Take a minute...and let it go.

I knew starting this week that today and tomorrow would be stressful. I had a Management test this morning and an Accounting test tomorrow morning. So often, my business classes get put on the back burner in favor of my studio classes...it is my major after all. However, this means some major cramming to prepare at the last minute.

I have a tendency to get stressed out easily so it's something that I try to be very conscious of because I know I'm a lot happier and healthier when my stress levels are low. I know it might sound crazy but when I know I need to be super productive, I get dressed up (my teacher told me that apparently there have been studies done that back this up, so it must be true right?). So this morning I decided to wear my new Lilly Pulitzer shirt because I needed all the positive energy I could get to work through the day. And guess what? I did have a great morning. For my residential studio, we had a field trip to a construction site and on the way, we stopped to get homemade popsicles from the Overall Company in Opelika (if you haven't been before you have to go!). Then I had a great time on the construction site and was lucky to be able to spend some really good quality time with my friends after at lunch. It's the little things that make life so great.

Then I started in on Accounting. It was going great...and then all the sudden I was lost. I got a little tutoring help but when I left, I was still stressed about it. And the more I thought about it, the more stressed I got. I was driving back to the studio and when I parked, I started thinking about how great my morning was. Wasn't I much happier then? Why was I wasting all this negative energy being stressed out? So I let it go.

I don't know what everybody else does, but I've found if I make a conscious effort I can change my mood. So I took a moment for myself. I turned on "Brand New Day" by Joshua Radin, closed my eyes, and just thought about nothing but my breathing. Then I let it go. And that's it. 

When I feel really overwhelmed, it's nice to just remember that things are going to work out. Things always work out. And no amount of stressing is going to help. I just think about the things I can do or change and just let the rest go because there's nothing else I can do. I also try to remember all the good things in my life, because every single time they outweigh the bad 1000 to 1. I am so lucky. There's not a single day that goes by when that thought doesn't run through my head. I have to be the luckiest girl in the world.  When you really stop to think about it, we are all so blessed. It's all about shifting your perspective. Everyone has stress in their life but why are we taking to time to focus on these small things when there are so many good things we're taking for granted? 

P.S. I'm working on a longer post about my "Choose Joy" mentality, and this all ties in but I'm not quite finished with it yet. 


P.P.S Also I've turned in my first two studio projects so I'm sure they'll be up here soon...here's a little teaser though!

Jar O' Encouragement

Before I left for Madrid for this semester, I decided that I wanted to do something for JJ, my boyfriend, to encourage him while I cannot physically be there for him. I wanted to do something that when he needed a pick-me-up would push him directly back into the loving arms of our Lord. Words are very important to me and carry a lot of meaning, so I decided to do something for him that could dictate what I may or may not be able to tell him while I am away.

This is what I came up with: Jar o’ Encouragement

It was simple to make, but carries so much meaning! First thing I did was choose a theme verse which is, 1 Thessalonians 5:11: “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” I based all my notes around this verse and used it as my goal for each note! I wanted to make it even more personal, so I went to Hobby Lobby and went sticker-crazy picking some fun ones that would make JJ laugh.

The other thing I love about the jar is that when I gave it to JJ, he laughed and then pulled out this:

He made me a Box o' Encouragement! God totally merged our brains together in a way that would bring both of us closer to Himself. For the past week that I have been in Spain, these jars and notes have been so encouraging for both of us! God has used it to bring smiles, peace, laughter, and show His love and faithfulness. I can’t wait to see what other gifts God brings through this little jar!

Could you bless someone in your life by encouraging them and reminding them of God’s beautiful, unchanging love for them? Who comes to mind? What’s stopping you?

xoxo

Doodle Bug

What better way to pass time in class than to get to know more about Jesus??

"Come, follow me," Jesus said, "and I will make you fishers of men."

-Matthew 4:19

The heavens declare the glory of God; the skies proclaim the work of his hands. 

– Psalm 19:1

You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

-Psalm 16:11

 I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

-Galatians 2:20